New Hampshire Senate Kills Concealed Gun Bill

The New Hampshire Senate has killed a bill that would have allowed the carrying of concealed weapons without permits. The bill was the last of three considered by the legislature that would have expanded gun rights in the state.

Democratic Gov. John Lynch had threatened to veto all of them, but they were either killed or sent back to committees for further study, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader.

The “constitutional carry” bill would have allowed anyone, including felons or the mentally unstable, to have a gun in their homes or place of business, without requiring a license or permit.

The state Senate at first voted along party lines to approve changes to the bill, which had already been approved by the state House, but then tabled it in a follow up vote, killing it for this year’s session.

Supporters of the measure had argued that changes made in the Senate would have provided reasonable restrictions without prohibiting anyone from legally carrying a weapon.

But some opponents, including pro-gun Republicans, said now was not the time for expanding gun rights because of a recent increase in gun violence around the state.

Republican state Sen. Jack Barnes, for instance, called it “a slap in the face of law enforcement” in New Hampshire, which has been overwhelmed recently with the death of one police chief and the wounding of four officers.